Multiple Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises have been left in the lurch due to the unavailability of Australian pacers for the initial few games of the 2026 edition. While the likes of Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins have already joined the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) camps, respectively, Mitchell Starc is yet to obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from Cricket Australia to be a part of the DC camp. With the IPL 2026 all set to get underway from March 28 onwards, let’s take a look at the status of these three Australian pacers and when they are expected to return to action.
What is delaying Hazlewood’s return to RCB?
RCB head coach Andy Flower informed in a press conference on Friday that Hazlewood has joined the camp before the tournament opener but will not be available for selection for the game against SRH on Saturday. The Aussie pacer has been out of action for nearly five months now, having last featured in a first-class game way back in November 2025. He picked up an Achilles heel injury, following which he also sustained another injury, delaying his comeback to competitive cricket. Subsequently, he missed the T20 World Cup as well.
“Hazlewood arrived yesterday and he’s looking fit. It’s great to have him back around the dressing room and involved in our meetings again. He won’t be ready for tomorrow because he’s just arrived, but we’ll monitor his fitness closely and we’re looking forward to him making his entrance into the IPL soon,” Flower said.
The Australian pacer finished as RCB’s leading wicket-taker in IPL 2025. With 22 wickets from 12 matches, Hazlewood was not only the spearhead of RCB’s pace department but was also their go-to bowler when the team needed wickets. He averaged 17.54 with the ball.
Pat Cummins to return to SRH XI soon?
Another Australian pacer who is certain to miss a few IPL 2026 games is Cummins. The all-rounder has been out of action for months now owing to a lumbar stress injury. As a result, he too, missed the T20 WC 2026. Ishan Kishan has been named stand-in captain for SRH in place of Cummins, which more or less confirms that he is set to miss a few games in the league. Cummins has joined the SRH camp and was also seen bowling in the nets. However, it is highly unlikely that he will be a part of the IPL 2026 opening game against RCB on March 28.
DC to miss Starc’s services initially
Starc was supposed to be the spearhead for DC as only a few pacers can be as lethal as he is. Instead, DC will have to begin their campaign without him. His unavailability is a call taken by Cricket Australia, who are managing their fast-bowling resources with a long-term view. Starc, in particular, has had a heavy workload over the past year. He played a full Ashes series, where he ended up as the player of the series. He featured towards the back end of the Big Bash League (BBL). Even though he stepped away from T20 internationals, Australia feel they can’t hurry Starc for the entire IPL season. Starc was retained for INR 11.75 crore by Delhi.
